Srinagar, Nov 15: The Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has summoned the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar in a case of alleged use of excessive force by police against a woman protester here in July this year.
 The Commission had taken suo-moto cognizance of a photograph published in Greater Kashmir on July 25 showing a cop thrashing a woman protester during protests against power crisis in Batamaloo area here.
 Hearing the case today the SHRC member Javaid Kawoos took strong note of failure of the SSP to take action against the accused cops.
 “I have perused the report submitted by the SSP Srinagar. The report nowhere discloses as to what action administrative/departmental has been taken against the police official equipped with sophisticated fire arm who is shown grappling with a woman in the picture. The report reads that FIR no. 75/2012 of police station Batamaloo has been registered against the alleged protesters and miscreants. The right of the matter is that the residents of the area were only agitating for their basic amenities,” the member observed in the order.
 “SSP Srinagar has intentionally avoided the basic issues regarding which suo-moto cognizance has been taken by this Commission. Further till date the identity of the police official has not been made known to the Commission. This appears only a tell-tale story adopted by the SSP Srinagar,” the order reads.
 “On 7-8-2012, the presence of SSP Srinagar (who as per the picture was present on spot during the incident) was dispensed with on the assurance extended by the Chief Prosecuting Officer. He will file a detailed report regarding the handling and use of proportionate/ disproportionate power to deal with the alleged agitators for restoring peace on the spot. But as already mentioned the SSP Srinagar has suppressed all the relevant material facts which are in issue. As such he (SSP Srinagar) will appear in person before the Commission on the next date of hearing in person so that his statement can be recorded in the matter,” the order reads. The case has been listed for hearing on 27-12-2012.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST